The amended protocol of AANZFTA has been welcomed by New Zealand
The signing of protocol to amend the Agreement Establishing the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area (AANZFTA) has been welcomed by the New Zealand. AANZFTA is Australia’s first multi-country FTA. It is the first time Australia and New
See MoreAustralia – Reduces safe harbor for thin capitalization
Australia recently reduced the safe harbor rule for thin capitalization limit from 75% to 60%, corporate groups may want to consider what steps to take with respect to their thin capitalization positions. With effect from 1 July 2014 the permitted
See MoreAustralia and Japan signed an agreement to promote economic relations
Australia and Japan signed an agreement to promote economic relations (EPA), in Canberra on 8 July 2014. The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said that, “this is the most liberalizing bilateral trade agreement and if it is fully
See MoreAustria: Government accepts bill amending the Fiscal Criminal Act
The Austrian parliament accepted the bill amending the Fiscal Criminal Act 2014 on July 2014. The draft bill aims at finish the exercise of partial disclosures as the current rules allow taxpayers to benefit from a repeated voluntary disclosure
See MoreUruguay-Ratification of TIEA with Australia and Canada
The government of Uruguay has announced that it has ratified the tax exchange information agreements with Australia and Canada. The TIEA between Australia and Uruguay was signed on 10 December 2012. To terminate the agreement either party will have
See MoreSwitzerland–Australia: approved double taxation agreements
The lower house of parliament approved the nation’s double taxation agreement on 4 June 2014. The DTA will enter in to force after both countries have completed their respective domestic requirements and ratification by both
See MoreCanada -Australia ITT regarding income of employee on a short-term secondment
The Australian Taxation Office has published Interpretative Decision ATO ID 2014/20 on May 30, 2014 regarding the income of a non-resident individual engaged by a resident employer resident in Canada is taxable in Australia despite that the employee
See MoreAustralia Confirms Superannuation Tax Changes
A reform is to be undertaken of the taxation of excess superannuation contributions. Some taxpayers are paying contributions at a rate that is considered excessive by many people in Australia. Currently non-concessional contributions exceeding the
See MoreFATCA agreement between Australia and United States signed
Australia and the United States signed an agreement relating to US Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) on 28 April 2014. These intergovernmental agreements are being concluded by the US in connection with the implementation of the FATCA in
See MoreAustralia: Guidance TR 2014/D4 clarifies the requirements of transfer pricing documentation
The transfer pricing rules require documentation to be prepared by the time of lodging the relevant tax return. Guidance in TR 2014/D4 clarifies that documentation must be brought into existence by the date of the tax return. Documentation prepared
See MoreAustralia: Draft ATO guidance on new transfer pricing rules
New draft tax Rulings and draft Practice Statements outline the Australian Tax Office’s approach to transfer pricing and the standards that are required from taxpayers. Businesses need to urgently consider these publications in order to manage tax
See MoreKorea – Free trade agreement signed with Australia
A free trade agreement (FTA) was signed on 8 April 2014 by representatives of the governments of South Korea and Australia. The agreement is designed to boost trade between the two countries and strengthen economic ties
See MoreAustralian Taxation Office Launches Offshore Tax Amnesty
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) is conducting another initiative to urge taxpayers to declare understated offshore income and to revise claims for tax deductions where these are overstated. Disclosures of income are to be regarded as
See MoreAustralia considers GST rise
The rate of GST in Australia is currently 10%, however the possibility of raising the rate has been under consideration for some time. An increase in the GST rate could be used to fund reductions in tax on labor and in corporation tax, helping to
See MoreAustralian Tax Break for Supporting Mining Activities
The Australian Government has introduced a consultation on plans to provide investors with a refundable tax offset for Greenfield mineral exploration costs incurred from July 1, 2014. Under the proposed program, a tax credit will be provided to
See MoreChina aiming to speed up progress of FTA talks with Australia
Comments by the Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on the negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) with Australia have been welcomed by the Australian Trade and . Investment Minister. On March 5 2014, in his speech to the annual meeting of the National
See MoreAustralian Prime Minister Loses Senate Carbon Tax Vote
The Australian Prime Minister’s plan to abolish Australia's carbon tax regime received a setback when the Senate failed to pass legislation to dismantle the independent Climate Change Authority. The bill was defeated on its second reading by 38
See MoreAustralian Government restates commitment to lower taxes
The Australian Prime Minister has reiterated his election pledge for “lower, simpler, fairer taxes,” and the new government will draw up a tax reform white paper within two years. Recommendations in the white paper shall be part of the platform
See More